SRHF operates in accordance
with New York State law. Archeological resources located underwater are
the shared cultural and historical legacy as well as legally the property
of the people of the state of New York.

Because of the educational
value of submerged resources, responsibility for their management is with
the State Department of Education. The Departmentís New York State Museum
has responsibility for the protection and care of historical sites on submerged
lands. It has authorization to gather data about them through issuing permits
for underwater projects of an educational nature.